I’ve been wanting to create this Front Porch Hot Cocoa Bar and Porch Party for quite a while and finally I was able to do it! I don’t have a proper front porch at my house so my best friend Dara kindly lends me hers whenever I need a front porch “fix”! Isn’t she the best?! I love the idea of porch parties, do you? In days past, folks used to spend lots of time on the front porch but it seems that as our lives have gotten busier and busier we just don’t use them much any more. Well, I’m on a mission to change that! So, here’s my Front Porch Hot Cocoa Bar in all its glory to hopefully inspire you to head out front and pour a cup of Cocoa and relax a while…
Here’s a view of all the coziness I created for you to explore. Since it’s a Cocoa Party, let’s head over to the Hot Cocoa Bar first, shall we?
Here’s a slightly closer look before we serve up a mug.
This little frame was so simple to make – I’ll try share a tutorial with you soon… it may be after Christmas though… OK, enough of that, let’s get to the good stuff!
To begin, I’ve filled oversized jars with your choice of traditional cocoa powder with tiny mini marshmallows (of course!) or…
…White Chocolate powder if, like me, you are allergic to chocolate or perhaps you just want a change! I use Ghirardelli White Chocolate powder
I found this ribbon last year by Mara-Mi and have been holding on to it for just such an occasion as this! Isn’t it sweet?
Of course half the fun of bars like this are the toppings!
First, please help yourself to some mini-chocolate chips,
and of course some mini marshmallows…
Feeling spicy? Try a red hot or two to heat things up!
oh, and one of my personal favorites, peppermint mini marshmallows! I L-O-V-E these!! All of my toppings are nested in natural colored coffee filters – I like the ruffles but you have to be careful and group them tightly on a tray (or bowl) so they support each other otherwise all the toppings may roll away!
There are even some jumbo, super-overstuffed marshmallows!
Yum! And no party is complete without a little treat, right?
This tempting assortment includes a little something for everyone…
First there is an assortment of dark and white chocolate dipped marshmallows… some are topped with chopped nuts, mini snowflake sprinkles, and crushed peppermint….
…while others are topped with silver dragees and mini chocolate chips. Decorating marshmallows is so easy that I kind of went a little overboard!
Prefer something a little crunchy? How about these adorable Scotty shaped shortbread cookies? I love the little star shaped ones too! There are also peppermint, white chocolate covered pretzels. I love how Target has such a wide variety of holiday cookies available right now!
Speaking of pretzels, please have a milk chocolate covered pretzel rod if you want that heavenly mix of salty & sweet…
When creating food displays like this, I like to place things at varied heights and use interesting props like my vintage kitchen scale. I adore its rusted patina, I think it compliments this cozy scene beautifully.
Please sit a while and sip your cocoa and have fun exploring the hot cocoa bar! There’s still so much more to show you but I’ll save that for Monday! In the meantime, thanks for visiting my front porch hot cocoa bar!
Are you counting the days like I am? If so, there are 10 days ’til Christmas! We’re taking my daughter to have her photo taken with Santa today – I’m pretty excited!!
Want to see part 2? Click here!
I’m linking up with Funky Junk Interiors and Too Much Time On My Hands!
Happy Celebrating!
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December 14, 2012 at 10:21 am, Lucinda said:
That is such an inviting and wonderful looking bar you created!!! I LOVE it!!! I adore the Scotty shortbread!!! And the entire setup is beautiful. Great work as always.
December 15, 2012 at 9:31 pm, Jennifer said:
> Thank you so much Lucinda! You are so kind to say so!!
December 14, 2012 at 10:48 am, Brenda Kula-Pruitt said:
I love it, Jennifer. My porch is only big enough to go out and get the mail on!
Brenda
December 15, 2012 at 9:32 pm, Jennifer said:
> That’s about how mine is too!! It’s more of a “stoop” – it aspires to be a porch
December 14, 2012 at 11:50 am, Diane | An Extraordinary Day said:
Love. Love. Love!!!!
This is just tooooo fun!!! And I can only imagine how much fun you had putting it all together. Who would think to make those marshmallow pretties. I thought they were cupcakes until I read differently.
What a happy post Jennifer!!
I think I need to have a cup of cocoa now!!
December 15, 2012 at 9:33 pm, Jennifer said:
> Those topping would be adorable for cupcakes too! I just get obsessed with decorating marshmallows sometimes and this is the result of one of those “outbursts”
December 14, 2012 at 1:50 pm, Leena Lanteigne said:
What a beautiful and yummy setting! I think that a cocoa porch party is an excellent idea! Perfect for parents to gather while kids play in the snow, then come running to the porch for a warm treat! You always have a best ideas! Thank you for sharing! Hugs,Leena
December 15, 2012 at 9:34 pm, Jennifer said:
> Oh Leena – that is just the sweetest sentiment! Thank you!
December 14, 2012 at 5:02 pm, Jill Flory said:
Jennifer that is awesome. Surely you had a party with friends too – and this wasn’t just for all of us to drool over! You are amazing – I love your styling!
December 15, 2012 at 9:38 pm, Jennifer said:
> Hi Jill – no, it really was all just for you guys… although I am setting up a similar hot cocoa bar tomorrow at my parent’s house for a holiday open house they are hosting!
December 14, 2012 at 10:32 pm, Donna Kelly said:
This is the cutest thing I have ever seen….I want to come and sit there all bundled up….I was very jealous that you have such a big, beautiful porch, until I read that its your friends…now I just need a fun friends like you and her!!! Enjoy! and keep sending us wonderful pics and ideas!
December 15, 2012 at 9:39 pm, Jennifer said:
> Ha, ha! I know Donna – I feel SO lucky to have such an amazing friend who let’s me live vicariously through her porch
December 14, 2012 at 11:15 pm, Jennifer said:
This is seriously too gorgeous for words!!! Oh how I wish I had fun friends like you! I love, love, love it!
December 15, 2012 at 9:40 pm, Jennifer said:
> Thank you so much Jennifer!!! You are so kind to stop in and share your encouragement! I’m thrilled you like it!
December 15, 2012 at 10:21 am, Kim@ Too Much Time said:
This is just amazing. I love the idea of bringing the neighborhood together and you have set up such a gorgeous and yummy display! My front porch is small, but I could do something like this and our neighbors would love it!If you find a sec this weekend, I would love to have you share at Get Schooled Saturday at Too Much Time On My Hands.
xxx
Kim
http://too-much-time.com/2012/12/get-schooled-saturday-5-2.html
December 15, 2012 at 9:47 pm, Jennifer said:
> Thank you so much Kim! I just linked up to your party and “liked” your FB page!! I’m so happy to have inspired you to have your own impromptu holiday party!! YAY!!!
December 15, 2012 at 10:45 am, Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhouse said:
G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S!!!! Love love LOVE it!!! Great job!
December 15, 2012 at 9:47 pm, Jennifer said:
> Hooray! Thanks Stephanie!! I’m delighted you love it!!
December 15, 2012 at 1:13 pm, Lorrie said:
Beautiful! All the details are wonderful!
December 15, 2012 at 9:48 pm, Jennifer said:
> Thanks SO MUCH Lorrie!!!!
December 16, 2012 at 6:47 pm, Susan said:
I love everything about it. Would you mind telling me where you found the sign? It’s perfect!
December 16, 2012 at 7:17 pm, Jennifer said:
> Hi Susan, Oh absolutely! I found it at Marshall’s about a month or so ago. It’s super cute, isn’t it?! I was so excited when I spotted it because I knew it would be perfect for this shoot
Thanks for visiting!! ~ Jennifer
December 17, 2012 at 1:48 am, barb said:
Oh I LOVE this!!!!!
thanks
barb
December 19, 2012 at 10:08 pm, Jennifer said:
Thank you Barb! I’m SO glad!!
December 18, 2012 at 12:34 am, Becky@sweetbeehollow said:
So stinking adorable, I love how you layer everything.
December 19, 2012 at 10:11 pm, Jennifer said:
tee-hee
Thanks Becky!
December 18, 2012 at 7:42 am, Chris said:
This is just amazing. I mean really amazing. everything is so inviting and wonderful. It make you wish you were there. I truly am amazed. What a great job.
December 19, 2012 at 10:12 pm, Jennifer said:
Thank you so much Chris! What lovely compliments!!
December 18, 2012 at 12:41 pm, Ann said:
Just started following you. I so enjoyed the Hot Cocoa Bar. I’m going to do something similar this Sunday at church. We are a small group and are having a Brunch before service. Also will be doing it with my grandkids
Thanks and I look forward to future things!
December 19, 2012 at 10:13 pm, Jennifer said:
Oh Ann! Thank you for following me!!! Good luck with your Hot Cocoa Bar at church! I pray it will be a hit!!! How fun!!! Merry Christmas!!
December 18, 2012 at 3:38 pm, Kelly @ the Moon and Me said:
This is so incredible! I love all your colors and the whole porch set up…not just the cocoa bar. I could sit out there for hours.
Kelly
December 19, 2012 at 10:14 pm, Jennifer said:
Oh Kelly! Just the feeling I was going for! I’m so glad you like it!!! Merry Christmas!!
December 20, 2012 at 3:14 pm, Beth@Unskinny Boppy said:
Jennifer, I just don’t even have enough words for how amazing your style is! It is mind blowing! I’m getting so many great comments about your photos today on my facebook page. You are incredible my friend!
December 20, 2012 at 3:29 pm, Jennifer said:
Oh, yay!!!!!!!! I’m so grateful for you featuring me! Really, what a blessing!!!!
Hugs!!!!
December 20, 2012 at 5:28 pm, Anita @ Cedar HIll said:
Oh Jennifer what a yummy hot chocolate bar. I love this idea. Now where did my plaid wool throw go? Your porch looks so inviting!!
December 20, 2012 at 7:08 pm, Yvonne @ StoneGable said:
What an amazing, full of detail, fun and so AWESOME place to have cocoa!!! I would travel far and wide to get my cocoa there!!!
December 21, 2012 at 7:31 am, Recreate and decorate said:
That is the cutest thing ever! Love it!
December 21, 2012 at 7:41 am, Keeping It Cozy said:
Oh my, Jennifer, this is amazing! You are so, so talented. I couldn’t even begin to name a favorite part. It is all wonderful. Merry Christmas!
December 21, 2012 at 7:49 am, denise sabia said:
so many things to love on this porch. i want to snuggle up an hang out there!
denise
December 22, 2012 at 7:48 pm, Ginny said:
Love the cocoa bar! Where did you get the sign? I love the rusty cup and hooks! Just started following, Merry Christmas!
December 23, 2012 at 10:09 pm, Jennifer said:
Hi Ginny! I found the sign at Marhsall’s a little over a month ago. I fell in love with it at first sight! Thank you so much for following!! Welcome and Merry Christmas!!!
December 23, 2012 at 5:00 am, Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique said:
I love your attention to detail Jennifer. The styling is gorgeous,as are your photos and I truly do adore those scales.
December 23, 2012 at 10:12 pm, Jennifer said:
Thank you, thank you Kerryanne! I’m so glad you like it all!! YAY!!
December 24, 2012 at 9:09 am, Shelly said:
I absolutely love this idea! We had a wine and cheese tasting earlier in the season that was a huge hit! However, I felt the kiddos needed something special! So tonight, for Christmas Eve, we will have a Hot Cocoa Bar! I’m so excited! They are going to love it! Merry Christmas from Louisiana!
December 24, 2012 at 9:36 am, Jennifer said:
> Oh Shelly, I’m sure they will love it!! Have fun!! Thanks and Merry Christmas to you from Virginia!!
December 30, 2012 at 9:21 am, hot cocoa party | Celebrating everyday life with Jennifer Carroll said:
[...] you so much to everyone who commented about Part 1 of my Front Porch Hot Cocoa Party! I put a lot into these scenes, so it’s a wonderful blessing to hear from you! Today, I want [...]
January 12, 2013 at 12:47 pm, Judy said:
I love this! Thanks for so many neat ideas!!
January 16, 2013 at 11:55 pm, Nanette said:
Just LOVED the whole idea and how beautiful everything looked.